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Regarding the Merrill situation, I haven't been able to find any sort of update since 11/1. All I know is that he was allowed back at practice but his suspension was moved from 12 games to indefinite.

"The initial suspension was in concrete - it was a dedicated suspension to so many games and so much time - and in further discussions, we changed that to an indefinite suspension, which means it's going to be longer," head coach Red Berenson said.

"There is no game we can point at and say he'll be back. But what we have done is we've put him back on the ice and he's practicing with the team."

Merrill was suspended Oct. 1 for violating team rules. At the time of his suspension, he was to sit out the first 12 games of the season, and would be eligible to return Nov. 18 when U-M hosted Ohio State. However, that date was never set in stone, and sources have told TheWolverine.com they expect the game suspension to last through Christmas.

"I'm looking for him to live up to everything he and I have agreed to, and when he does all that, then we can take that to the athletic director, and we'll see where we are," Berenson said.

At first I figured he wasn't playing right away due to conditioning but now I'm starting to worry he is going to miss nearly half the season and be left off the US world junior team. From a hockey development standpoint, I wish he bolted to play with Wedgewood in Plymouth. I felt like that could've been a great step for him before going pro after this year which now I think isn't a sure thing.

I have plenty of buddies who scout OHL. I'll ask one of them for their opinions of him. From what I gather his skating still needs work and his consistency could be better.

That would be awesome man, I appreciate it!

Edited November 20, 2011 by thefiestygoat

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I'm starting to become more and more concerned with what exactly took place that resulted in this suspension on top of the fact that he's losing a lot of playing time and thus hurting his development as well. I mean, what could he have done that "violated team rules" to get him suspended indefinitely? Especially with what Berenson said about him 'living up to what he and I agreed to' or whatever. That just doesn't sound good to me....

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I'm starting to become more and more concerned with what exactly took place that resulted in this suspension on top of the fact that he's losing a lot of playing time and thus hurting his development as well. I mean, what could he have done that "violated team rules" to get him suspended indefinitely? Especially with what Berenson said about him 'living up to what he and I agreed to' or whatever. That just doesn't sound good to me....

we know three things:

A: he didn't get kicked off the team

B: he didn't leave michigan

C: he's not being charged with any sort of crime

it's worrisome, but i can't imagine it's something that can't be either overcome or overlooked at the pro level.

it's worrisome, but i can't imagine it's something that can't be either overcome or overlooked at the pro level.

That's why it confuses me a bit, if it's bad enough to be suspended indefinitely and the coach to be quoted sounding like a disappointed parent, but yet wasn't enough to be booted off the team, what the hell exactly happened then? Does Berenson have some hot grandkids that Merrill slept with? lol. I just think it's weird the way Berenson said Merrill needed to do the things he said, etc. I just think it's all seemed a bit of a strange situation and I can't really make heads or tails of it.

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Wedgewood was invited to Canada's WJHC selection camp. The incumbent starter is Mark Visentin but his spot is far from a given. The other goalies invited are Louis Domingue and Tyler Bunz. Hopefully Wedgewood has a strong camp and can get one of the two goaltender spots.

In Lou We Trust has an interview with Ohio State play-by-play man, Sam Obermyer, who offers some insight into Gedig's development over the past year and change.

I am in a poor city to see Grigorenko, he looked disinterested against a very weak Cape Breton team. He showed flashes of brilliance and if I had to compare he would be a faster version of Berglund (STL).

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Berenson strongly responded to the suggestion that Michigan could benefit from ending the indefinite suspension to sophomore defenseman Jon Merrill.

"There is going to be a time, a decision-making time to bring back Jon Merrill, and that's not right now," he said.

Arguably Michigan's top defenseman, and at the very least its top offensive defender, Merrill has sat out all 16 of U-M's games this season for a violation of team rules. Sources have told TheWolverine.com to expect Merrill to return to the lineup in January.

I suggest checking the blog out, this week they have an interview with Chuck Schwartz, Men's Ice Hockey Editor at Bucky's 5th Quarter, who answers questions on two Devils prospects, Joe Faust and Patrick Daly.